4th ANNIVERSARY OF SOGYAL RINPOCHE’S PARINIRVANA - at Lerab Ling and Online 25-29 August

Written by Nicolas Schram on 25 August 2023.

4^th ANNIVERSARY OF SOGYAL RINPOCHE’S PARINIRVANA AT LERAB LING AND ONLINE

Annual Rigpa Sangha Gathering

Dates: from 25 to 29 August

During these 5 days, the Rigpa sangha will come together, in Lerab Ling and online, to commemorate the 4th anniversary of Sogyal Rinpoche’s parinirvana. Students of all stages of the spiritual path will be able to practise together and connect with Sogyal Rinpoche’s vision and Dharma legacy.

This event is open to all students and members of all sanghas.

One of the key features this year will be the consecration on the 26th of August of the ‘inner stupa’ of Sogyal Rinpoche in the nirmanakaya shrine room by Tulku Rigdzin Pema Rinpoche. See more details below.

PROGRAMME

The event will feature practice at all levels, guided by our teachers and practice holders:

• meditation sessions;
• guru yoga practice;
• Riwo Sangchö, a practice of incense smoke offering, and
• the sadhanas of Rigdzin Düpa, the inner lama practice of the Longchen Nyingtik, and Tendrel Nyesel, combined with the celebration of tsok feast.
  
  

The event will also feature:

• teachings of Sogyal Rinpoche;
• oral accounts of Sogyal Rinpoche’s life;
• teachings by Senior Teachers;
• recent advice from the lamas who have continually supported the Rigpa sangha, and
• news about Rigpa’s current and future projects, including recent developments from the Vision Board.
  
  

This year in particular, Tulku Rigdzin Pema Rinpoche, will be present to fill and consecrate (on the 26th of August) the ‘inner stupa’ of Sogyal Rinpoche placed in the nirmanakaya shrine room at the heart of the Lerab Ling temple. The ‘inner stupa’ will enshrine the most treasured relics of Sogyal Rinpoche and will represent the enlightened mind of the Buddha, alongside the many representations of enlightened body and speech of the temple. This will be an occasion for all participants to join in this ceremony and make vast offerings, auspicious prayers and wishes.

We will also take the opportunity to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the visit to Lerab Ling of Kyabjé Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, who, like Sogyal Rinpoche, was recognised as an incarnation of Tertön Sogyal.

OPTIONS TO FOLLOW

We encourage everyone to gather physically in Lerab Ling, but the commemorations can also be followed live online.

ONSITE

• 5-DAY OPTION (25-29 AUGUST)
• SHORT 3-DAY OPTION (26-28 AUGUST)
  In addition to the full 5-day option we also offer a shorter 3-day option 26-28 August which covers the Guru Rinpoche Day celebrations (26th) and the anniversaries of Nyoshul Khenpo (27th) and Sogyal Rinpoche (28th).
• SOGYAL RINPOCHE’S PARINIRVANA ANNIVERSARY (28 AUGUST)
  The commemoration programme on the 28th of August will be based on donations, for all those who wish to join in Lerab Ling or online. Please note that this is also reflected in the lowered price of the 5 or 3-day event.
  
  

LIVE ONLINE

Please note that this year, registration for the online event happens directly on Prajna (see below).

9-Day International Ngöndro Retreat

Written by Patricia Pinglot on 18 July 2023.

9-DAY INTERNATIONAL NGÖNDRO RETREAT

Preliminaries to the ‘Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse’

Dates: from 18 to 26 July

This year’s International Ngöndro Retreat will focus on practice, offering an excellent opportunity for students to deepen and clarify their practice of the Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro in the profound and sacred retreat environment of Lerab Ling.

The retreat is geared towards supporting students at each stage of the ngöndro, mainly through individual guidance from teachers and practice holders who have specialised in the area of the Vajrayana Preliminaries.

At the same time, students will be able to focus on the main practice they are accumulating, be it Refuge, Vajrasattva, Mandala Offering or Guru Yoga, as the schedule will provide plenty of space for individual practice.

There will be as well a daily group guided practice of the Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro, emphasising different parts of the ngöndro and sharing evocative teachings to create the inspiration for the day.

REFUGE & BODHISATTVA VOWS

There will be the opportunity for all students who wish to, to take Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows, either with Ane Lhamo or Ruth Seehausen.

SUPPORTING YOUR STUDY OF THE NGÖNDRO

In order for you to study the practices you are interested in before arriving to the retreat, we are:

• Giving you free access to the Prajna library of teachings on ngöndro from June until the end of August 2023.
• Designing compilations of the most essential teachings for each of the ngöndro practices, which you will also have access to on Prajna. Available from June onwards.

This will allow beginning ngöndro students to easily join the retreat and for all students to deepen their study.

TEACHERS & PRACTICE HOLDERS HOLDING THIS RETREAT

Ane Lhamo (Practice Holder), Ane Sangye Chözom (Senior Practice Holder), Javier Torrales (Teacher), Jeremy Tattersall (Teacher), Mary-Ellen Kelleher (Teacher & Practice Holder), Ruth Seehausen (Senior Teacher)

PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE

The daily retreat schedule will have 5 sessions at these approximate times:

Session 1 (07:00-08:00) Silent personal accumulation time
Session 2 (09:00-11:00) Guided group practice of the Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro, with an evocative teaching
Session 3 (11:30-12:30) Silent personal accumulation time
Session 4 (15:00-16:30) Personal interview with a teacher and/or exchange in small groups
Session 5 (17:00-18:30) Silent personal accumulation time

LANGUAGES

• Presentations will be translated in French and Spanish but we are still currently searching for a German translator.
• It will be possible to have personal interviews in English, French, German and Spanish.

PERSONAL AND PRACTICE RETREATS

Written by Paula on 19 November 2016.

PERSONAL AND PRACTICE RETREATS

Meditate, practice and recharge your batteries in the middle of nature

If you feel the need to take a break from your daily life and stresses, it may be time to reconnect with nature and recharge your batteries in a peaceful atmosphere.

In the unique spiritual environment of Lerab Ling, we offer you the opportunity to experience:

You can join us for:

• a personal retreat (open to all) to learn to meditate or deepen your practice. 
• a sangha practice retreat (for Rigpa students only) to advance your practice and personal study.
  
  

In both cases, you will have the support of experienced instructors to guide you, and have access to a library and video teachings to further your study.

You can learn more about each of these options by clicking on one of the pictures below.

PRACTICE RETREATS FOR THE SANGHA

Written by Nicolas Schram on 27 November 2019.

PRACTICE RETREATS FOR THE SANGHA

Deepening your study and practice in a blessed environment

Wherever you are on the path, doing a retreat is an amazing opportunity to deepen your study and practice in the blessed environment of Lerab Ling.

From September to June, you can choose to come for one or several weeks or even longer. There could be a possibility to do a retreat outside this period depending on the number and types of events that are taking place at the time. Please check availability at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Before you come to Lerab Ling, a guide will help you to plan your retreat, help you settle in when you arrive and assist you with practical and spiritual support throughout your stay.

During your retreat you can choose to focus on studying a particular subject or text, accomplish the practice of meditation or compassion, accumulating your Ngöndro or sadhana practice, or focus on Dzogchen practice.

While on retreat, you are welcome to practise in one of the temple shrine rooms when they are available. You are free to join the daily group practices such as Riwo Sangchö and Tendrel Nyesel.

HOW TO REGISTER

Dates: September to June (to be confirmed depending on the events that are happening in Lerab Ling)
Arrival dates & times: Monday to Friday between 10am and 5pm.
Event contribution: From €21 to €7/day depending on the length of your retreat (does not include accommodation and meals). This contribution covers the support for your retreat as well as administrative and other costs.

Please note - The minimum stay for a practice retreat is of 1 week

Before you register please contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and fill-in an application form below. Once the dates and details are confirmed, we will send you a link to register online. Please register at least 2 weeks before the start of your retreat.

REDUCTIONS ON ACCOMMODATION

Except during main events (please check with us).

Different types of accommodation are available depending on the season, ranging from a simple wooden cabin in the forest to a retreat room or studio with a view of the temple. Reduced rates are available for longer stay.

• 25% off for retreats from 8 days to 3 weeks
• 45% off for retreats from 3 to 6 weeks
• 60% off for retreats of more than 6 weeks
  
  

STUDY & PRACTICE GRANTS

If you have the heartfelt wish to do a practice retreat but lack financial means, you now have the opportunity to ask for support from the Study & Practice Grant. Read more